Government Assistance Failing Both Older and Younger Veterans and Families

New Veterans Charter must be Improved, Say New Democrats

SAULT STE. MARE –  New Democrat Veterans Affairs Critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore) and Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) want the Conservative government to make immediate changes to the New Veterans Charter to help disabled veterans and their families.

"Peter made it clear in meeting with veterans and their families here Thursday that government assistance is too inconsistent, bureaucratic and not suited always to younger veterans," Martin said.

“Programs need to adapt. Ageing veterans need more and better home care and nursing care.  A growing number of veterans surviving spouses need to be better cared for. We now have a new generation of veterans with diverse needs such as counselling for PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) and counselling for families."

Stoffer, on a tour of Northern Ontario ridings, is also calling for a review and overhaul of the way the Department of Veterans Affairs administers health and disability benefits for older veterans, RCMP, and their families.

“The federal government has known for quite some time that they need to make improvements to veterans’ programs and services,” said Stoffer. "This government is currently refusing to be accountable, but make no mistake, when the House of Commons returns we will put pressure on Blackburn and his colleagues.”

“Younger veterans want changes to the New Veterans Charter and want the option of a monthly disability benefit rather than a lifetime lump sum payment. In many cases, the lump sum payment is not enough to pay for a lifetime of medical expenses."

“Older Canadian Forces and RCMP veterans and their families want less bureaucratic red tape and a system that is based on health needs, rather than one that is based on categories of service"

“Quite frankly, men and women who have served their country deserve to be treated fairly and deserve to be supported long after their uniform comes off. Now is the time, in advance of the upcoming federal budget, for the federal government to make improvements to the lives of veterans and their families.”